Please note: applications for funding in 2012 through the Annual Operations category have now closed.

Annual Operations is an open, competitive funding category that provides funding for small arts organisations that have a demonstrated track record in the arts and cultural sector. It supports the costs associated with developing, delivering and promoting a one year arts or cultural program.

Annual Operations aims to support organisations:

• whose program is of high artistic quality
• whose program is relevant to a significant audience or participant base
• that engage with professional artists in either process or outcome
• that have sound management and financial accountability
• that have a track record of achievement, artistically and operationally.

Organisations Program Review

While there will be no changes to the Annual Operations program for 2013, the future of the program is being considered as part of the Organisations Program Review currently being undertaken by Arts Victoria. For further information on the Review go to the Organisations Program Review page.

Eligibility

Annual Operations accepts applications from Victorian-based arts organisations and national arts organisations that offer significant benefits to Victorians. Applicants must be legally constituted, not-for-profit organisations with a turnover (total income, including the funding request) of between $100,000 and $1,000,000.

Eligible organisations must demonstrate that they undertake artistic and cultural activities as their main business.

Current Funding Priorities

In 2012, the priority areas for Annual Operations support are:

• Artform - Dance, literature, new media, music and other performing arts (such as circus, physical theatre and puppetry).
• Type of activity - Community development activities and industry service activities.
• Region - Organisations located in regional Victoria (particularly Gippsland, Loddon Mallee, Barwon, Hume and Grampians) and the Southern Metropolitan Region.
• Diversity - Organisations that support Indigenous people, culturally and linguistically diverse people and people with a disability.

Closing Dates

20 July 2011

It takes a minimum of 12 weeks from the closing date until funding results are available.

Funds Available

Funding is available from $30,000 per annum with a maximum request of $75,000.

Note: Arts Victoria will not provide 100% of the program budget.

Please note: applications for funding in 2012 through the Annual Operations category have now closed. The guideline available for download below is for information only.

It is essential that you contact Annual Operations program staff before submitting an application.

To apply for funding you must:

• Download and complete the Annual Operations guideline and application form (Sample - PDF 157KB)
• Submit a written proposal, detailed annual budget and Quantitative Data Summary (see below)
• Provide artistic support material
• Provide supporting documents

Written Proposal

The written proposal, along with your annual budget, forms the main part of your application. It must include details on one year's activity addressing the following:

• Artistic Program (3-5 pages)
• Audience and Engagement (1-2 pages)
• Impact Statement (1 page)
• Operations and Governance (3 pages)

Detailed Annual Budget

This must include all revenues and specific costs associated with your program, including production, administration, salaries and marketing.

You must submit your detailed annual budget using the Arts Victoria Annual Operations financial reporting template (Excel 335 KB).

Quantitative Data Summary (QDS)

This is a statistical summary on programming, marketing, financials and employment levels over a three year period. This information helps put the 2012 budget and program in the context of your organisation's past, present and future achievements.

You only need to complete data relevant to your organisation's particular artform and/or area of programming.

You must submit your QDS using the Annual Operations QDS template (Excel 46 KB).

Assessment Criteria

Applications are competitively assessed and prioritised according to the following criteria:

Artistic Merit

• The quality and relevance of the program.
• The level of artistic or other professional skills appropriate to the activities.
• The extent to which the program engages professional artists in either process or outcome.
• The potential of the work to contribute to the quality and diversity of arts activity in Victoria.

Audience and Engagement

• Evidence of a sizeable audience or constituency.
• Capacity to attract new audiences and/or community participants.
• Evidence of effective marketing strategies.

Impact Statement

• The extent of impact on operations of the organisation including: governance, business systems and strategic planning
• The extent to which the organisation can develop new opportunities, income sources and/or partnerships
• The extent to which the organisation plays a distinctive role and strengthens its position within the arts and cultural sector in Victoria

Operations

• The extent to which the organisation can demonstrate good planning and effective use of resources.
• The extent to which the organisation has administrative, financial and governance practices in place.
• The extent to which the organisation can demonstrate it has a range of income sources. This may include financial or in-kind support from government and non-government agencies, earned and philanthropic or sponsorship income.

Assessment Process

Applications will be assessed against the stated criteria by Arts Victoria officers, who also consider advice from a peer advisory group drawn from a range of experienced arts and cultural industry practitioners and administrators.

The peer advisory group assesses funding applications in relation to three of the evaluation criteria; Artistic Merit, Audience and Engagement and the Impact Statement.

Funding recommendations are submitted to the Minister for the Arts for approval.

Assessment Panel for 2012 applications

• Campion Decent (Chair) Artistic director and playwright
• Paola Balla Artist, community arts practitioner and Indigenous studies lecturer
• Amy Barclay Cultural development (Visual Arts) officer and freelance curator
• Zoe Dattner Literature publisher/producer
• Janice Florence Arts Access development officer, freelance director, dancer and choreographer
• Stephanie Glickman Dance writer
• Carolynne Hamdorf LEAP Coordinator, community arts development, visual artist
• Dr Eamonn Kelly Music and dance critic

As a recipient of Arts Victoria funding, you are required to:

• Notify Arts Victoria of any changes to your proposed project
• Publicly acknowledge the support of the Victorian Government using specific logos and text
• Acquit your grant by completing a written report on the outcomes of your funded project.

Logos and Text Acknowledgement

Logos

The Arts Victoria logo deviceArts Victoria Logo DeviceThe Arts Victoria logo device is made up of two elements:1. The Arts Victoria logo and 2. The Victorian Government logoThe Arts Victoria logo must always appear with the Victorian Government logo. must be included on all promotional materials produced by the grant recipient in relation to the funded activity.

These may include (but are not restricted to):

• Posters, fliers and brochures
• Advertisements
• Invitations
• Information and education kits
• Signage
• Programs and catalogues
• Websites.

The size and position of the logo should be commensurate with the level of funding provided by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria in relation to other supporters.

The Arts Victoria logo device is available in a variety of formats, please take note of the guidelines for its use.

Logo for Literature Organisations or Projects

In 2008, Melbourne was officially designated a UNESCO City of Literature. All literature projects or organisations receiving Arts Victoria funding should be branded under the initiative by using the UNESCO Melbourne City of Literature logo devlceUNESCO Melbourne City of Literature Logo DeviceThe UNESCO Melbourne City of Literature logo device is made up of three elements:1. The UNESCO logo 2. The Melbourne, Australia 'spiky' logo3. The words 'City of Literature'All elements must appear together. on all marketing and promotional materials. This should be used in addition to the standard logo and acknowledgements outlined above.

The UNESCO Melbourne City of Literature logo device is available in a variety of formats, please take note of the guidelines for its use.

Text Acknowledgement

The following text acknowledgement should be used in any speeches, media releases, interviews and other circumstances where a logo may not be possible:
[This organisation is] supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and the Community Support Fund

Acquittal Reports

When your funded activity is completed, you must provide Arts Victoria with an acquittal reportAcquittal ReportA written evaluation of the funded activity and a statement that fully accounts for the expenditure of funds provided. within 90 days.

Failure to satisfactorily acquit funding will make you ineligible for future Arts Victoria funding and may result in action to recover the grant.

Download the acquittal form as a Word document (300 KB).

For further information about the program please contact:

Tania Grant

T: 03 8683 3117
tania.grant@dpc.vic.gov.au